Ron Von Hagen: Volleyball
Ron Von Hagen (born: 23 November 1938) is a former defense specialist in beach volleyball who represented the US National Men’s team. He became one of the first to introduce weight training into his exercise regime. Von Hagen is considered the “Babe Ruth” of modern beach volleyball, setting records and established standards when beach volleyball just emerged in the sporting scene.
Greatest Sporting Achievements
Ron Von Hagen won his first Open at Laguna Beach in 1964. From that year to 1978, he competed in 120 tournaments and won 62 of them with 33 second places, 7 third places, 4 fourth places and 2 fifth places. He won half of every single tournament he entered. When he played from 1966 until 1972, Ron Von Hagen played in 54 tournaments and never finished a game lower than third place. In 2011, he was inducted into the Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame.
Why Was He So Good?
Ron Von Hagen is evidence to power of focus. He was brilliant in defense and could run down the bad passes and digs. He is well known for his strong points and strength of mind, which always helped him confident on being on top three positions in every competition he partaken. No male beach player has come close to his winning percentage.
What You May Not Know
- He started his athletic career at Harvard Military School in Los Angeles, where he was a star in four sports.
Ron only became interested in volleyball when he was 21 and a senior at UCLA. - He has five plaques on the Manhattan Beach pier and won tournaments at every single beach in California, including four in Hermosa.
- His last Open level victory was in 1977 when he was 38 with future U.S. Team Captain Chris Marlowe.
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